How to Group Tracks in Cubase?

Grouping tracks in Cubase allows you to control the levels and processing of multiple related tracks simultaneously, simplifying your mixdown workflow.

Grouping tracks in Cubase typically involves creating a dedicated Group Track and then routing the output of your desired tracks to this new group track instead of the main stereo output. This functions like a submix, giving you a single fader and insert/send chain for the grouped signals.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this:

Creating the Group Track

The first step is to create the track that will serve as your group or submix point.

1. On the top menu bar, click: Project > Add Track > Group.
2. A dialog window will appear. Here you can configure parameters for the new group track, such as its name (e.g., "Drums Group", "Guitar Bus"), configuration (e.g., Stereo), and track count (usually 1 for a stereo group). Apply the following configurations as needed for your specific grouping purpose.
3. After setting up the parameters, click on "Add Track" to create the group track in your project.

This new track will appear in your Project window and MixConsole.

Routing Tracks to the Group

Once the group track is created, you need to send the audio output of the individual tracks you want to group to this new track.

1. Press F3 to open the MixConsole window, if it's not already open. This window provides a clear view of your project's track faders and routing.
2. Locate the tracks you wish to group (e.g., all your drum tracks, all guitar tracks).
3. In the MixConsole, look at the bottom section of the fader strip for each of these tracks. This area typically shows the track's output routing.
4. Click on the "Routing" area of each of the tracks you want to group. By default, this is often set to "Stereo Out".
5. Click on the current output parameter (e.g., the "Stereo Out" parameter of any of the guitar tracks or drum tracks). A list of available outputs will appear.
6. From the list, select the name of the Group Track you created earlier.

Repeat step 5 and 6 for every track you want to include in this group. Once routed, the audio from these individual tracks will pass through the Group Track before going to the main Stereo Out (or wherever the Group Track is routed).

Benefits of Using Group Tracks

Using group tracks offers several advantages for mixing:

• Simplified Level Control: Adjust the overall volume of the grouped tracks with a single fader.
• Unified Processing: Apply inserts (like EQ, compression, reverb) or sends to the entire group, affecting all routed tracks equally.
• Improved Organization: Keep related tracks together visually and functionally in the MixConsole.
• Submixing: Create submixes for different instrument sections, making it easier to manage complex projects.

By following these steps, you can effectively group tracks in Cubase, streamlining your mixing process and gaining greater control over your project.